Creative ways to tip

So what do you do when it gets to be that time when the massage has ended and it's time to pay for your (hopefully awesome) massage? After you have your jewelery back on, you've fixed your "do" and it comes to that sometimes ackward moment of tipping; what's YOUR next move? Perhaps you weren't able to stop at the ATM, or maybe you just aren't really sure how much you should tip. Do you tip every time, or only once and awhile? Do you even "need" to tip?

Thus has come the question I have heard a million times. "So how does this tipping thing work?" It's a very subjective thing, but the most ackward part for the therapist is being put in the position to tell someone what they ought to pay you as an extra thank you. Although tips are not required, they are appreciated. As with any tip, this decision, of course, is based on the quality of service received. I was never really sure what to say without feeling like I might be lowballing the experience, nor did I want to seem like I was taking advantage of anyone either. Then one day, after I was finished with my client and we said our good byes, I walked back in the treatment room and found a beautiful potted plant she had left for me. AH HA! This was the perfect idea!! I was absolutely thrilled. I knew she appreciated me and all the hard work I had been putting into our sessions together. The plant still sits in my home and every time I look at it; I remember my client and the smile her generosity put on my face.

The conversation has come up between myself and other therapists and we have all come to the conclusion that we love non conventional tips as much as we love recieving money. Here are some of the tips associates and or I have gotten and would be delighted to recieve in the future.

A bottle of wine
Massage goodies- oils, new equipment, reflexology nubbies, a blanket
A gift card to a favorite cafe or restaurant
Books
A potted plant
A donation to a favorite charity
Coffee beans
Candles
Artwork
Music
Movie tickets
A weekend getaway for two (MY FAVORITE GIFT EVER!)
Here's some irony, a gift certificate for massage :)
A gift certificate for a manicure/pedicure
Fresh organic veggies or fruit
If you offer a service, a complimentary service
Scarves
Fancy makeup
etc etc etc...

Whether its big or small, expensive or inexpensive, it is always appreciated. So the next time you have had a great massage and you want to keep that $ tucked in your wallet, use your creativity!